The San Gabriel Mountains have recently become the country’s newest national monument. On Oct.10, President Barack Obama made the mountains a monument by using his executive authority. This decision will permanently protect the popular destination and increase access to the mountains and outdoor activities for the area’s residents. It will be the eighth national monument under the U.S. Forest Management. In order to help the monument process occur more quickly and more smoothly, the National Forest Foundation, a nonprofit funding arm of the forest service, has established a $3 million fund to protect this site and all it has to offer.

The 346,177 acre site contains hundreds of miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails, as well as campgrounds for the location’s diverse residents. The San Gabriel Mountains also contain lots of valuable wilderness areas and habitats for rare and endangered animals, like the Nelson’s Bighorn Sheep, the California Condor, Mountain Lions, Spotted Owls, and the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog.

“I think it is excellent that the mountains became a national monument. Now the mountains will be protected and preserved for generations to come,” CHS junior and local Mt. Baldy resident Jeremy Dvorak said.

The area is rich in culture and scientific history; there are more than 600 archaeologically and culturally significant sites within the mountains. The monument is home to the Mt. Wilson Observatory, which is where Edwin Hubble discovered galaxies beyond the Milky Way and Albert Michelson gave the first modern measurement of the speed of light. There is also the Aliso-Arrastre Special Interest Area, which features rock art that exemplifies more than 8,000 years of Native American History.

National monuments also can majorly benefit local economies. A study recently conducted by the independent research group Headwaters Economic, found that local economies grow after the landmarks have been designated monuments.
“I think that because the San Gabriel mountains are providing a habitat for endangered species then it is absolutely worth preserving as a national monument since there are currently too many endangered species in California,” Vice President of the Conservation of Wildlife Club Tabitha Busi said.

The San Gabriel Mountains becoming a national monument benefits the country in many ways. The designation permanently protects watersheds and water quality, conserves wildlife, and enhances air quality. It also brings many fun, healthy outdoor activities for more than 3 million annual visitors.